Emotional tributes to 'Smokey'

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3: Friends and team mates have paid emotional tributes to a popular sportsman and fireman who died in a bike accident on Saturday.

Jevanie 'Smokey' Fubler sustained fatal injuries when he collided with barricades on Frog Lane, Devonshire in the early hours of the morning.

Mr Fubler was a well-known and talented footballer and softball player, as well as a serving firefighter.

Best friend, Antonio Belvedere, told the Bermuda Sun Mr Fubler had been a 'brother' to him.

He told the Bermuda Sun: "Smokey was an addition to the Belvedere family. He was a brother and a best friend to me and my brother Alex.

"Along with our friend Sinclair we called ourselves the "Four Brothers".

"You would always find us at BAA watching whatever football game was on.

" Smokey was a great, kind-hearted guy. He was always smiling and willing to give you his clothes of his back.

"I've never ever met someone so genuine to the people in his surroundings.

"He spoke highly of his family when he was at my house on Sunday nights.

"He put his all into everything he did and he loved being a firemen and playing football.

"He loved spending time with friends and family and enjoying life. God has taken an angel that we will dearly miss him.

"Smokey will forever be in our hearts."

Robin Hood coach, Derek Stapley, described Mr Fubler as a happy guy who was always telling jokes.

He said: "I had the pleasure of playing football alongside Smokey for many years with the Robin Hood and also of being his coach for part of that time.

"Smokey was a great member of our club and someone who gave you everything on and off the field.

"He was incredibly fast but he wasn't always the fittest guy around so he would run up and down the wings in phenomenal bursts of speed leaving defenders in his wake but at the point where he was bent over and gulping in huge mouthfuls of air you knew it was time to bring on a sub.

"He was such a happy guy and tremendous company for everyone around him with his jokes and his laughter.

"He will be greatly missed by so many across the community and our thoughts go out to his family and friends on his tragic passing."